Smile Politely: The University YMCA released an Immigration Impact Report
The University YMCA, along with New American Economy, has released a Gateways for Growth Community Data report today, which details the contributions of immigrants in Champaign County (general take: they contribute a lot). Last year, the Y established a New American Welcome Center here, designed to help immigrants integrate fully… Read More
The News-Gazette: University Y’s new study shows immigrants have $1.4B impact here
Immigrants living in Champaign County contribute $1.4 billion to its economy and $57.2 million to the local tax base, according to a new, first-of-its kind study. The Gateways for Growth Community Data Report — compiled by the University YMCA’s New American Welcome Center and data analysts from the New American… Read More
DRC Immigrant Finds His Faith and a Path to Helping Other Immigrants
César M’nyampara was a mining-industry lawyer in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but when his father, a political activist, was murdered in 2003, he decided to find a safer place for his family. In 2011, M’nyampara, his pregnant wife, and their four children came to Illinois on diversity visas. There,… Read More
70-Year-Old Vietnam Native Helps Hundreds of New Arrivals Start Their Lives in America
Vietnamese native Anh Ha Ho attended high school in France and later worked as an assistant in her husband’s medical office in Vietnam. But her family suffered during the post-war period. Her father spent three years in a Communist reeducation camp, and her husband was imprisoned after he tried to… Read More
Immigrant Entrepreneur from Mexico Pays it Forward in Urbana, IL
Mauricio Salinas grew up poor in Puebla, Mexico. In 1986, as a 19-year-old fresh out of high school, he came to the United States looking for a better life. He worked in landscaping and as a food server, and managed to get an education at Parkland College in Champaign. Still,… Read More
Post Bulletin: Austin commission unveils “Strategic Welcoming Plan”
The Austin Human Rights Commission presented its “Austin Strategic Welcoming Plan” during Monday night’s Austin City Council meeting. Initiated in July 2016, the wel coming plan focuses on making Austin an inclusive community for all residents. Twenty people from local government, schools, businesses, and nonprofits created the plan over the… Read More
American Immigration Council Condemns Attorney General’s Decision Restricting Immigration Judges’ Authority
Attorney General Jeff Sessions unilaterally removed immigration judges’ general authority to administratively close cases. Ending the use of administrative closure will have far-reaching consequences for those in removal proceedings, including adding tens of thousands of cases to an already over-burdened immigration court system. Read More
WHSV: Study: Immigrants have significant economic impact on Harrisonburg Metro Area
A new study by the “New American Economy” is showing immigrants are having a significant impact on the Harrisonburg Metropolitan Area economy. In 2016, there were 12,599 immigrants in the metro area, which is nearly 10% of the population. Between 2011 and 2016, the immigrant population grew by 73.2% with… Read More
Pakistani Engineer Manages 700-Employee Facility, Oversees Life-Saving Drug Production
Usman Chaudhri dreamed of becoming an engineer, and by 23, he had more than achieved his goal. He had received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Pakistan’s National University of Sciences and Technology and had his research on synthetic engine fuel published in journals around the world. Riding… Read More
DACA Enables Aspiring ESL Teacher from El Salvador to Serve Her Community
At seven, Kenia Lopez came to Harrisonburg from El Salvador—and met her father for the first time. He had left before Lopez was born to help provide for the family. “We had no money to eat, or buy milk,” she said. “He wanted to give me a better future.” In… Read More
All gifts are matched dollar for dollar up to $75,000
No one should face the immigration system alone
